University of Wales recent merger developments

Following the announcement made by the University of Wales in relation to progress with its merger, we have consistently made the statement that we will honour our commitments to all students currently enrolled on University of Wales awards.

We recognise there are still a number of concerns that students have, and the following questions are examples from University of Wales students. We understand that students want to be kept informed of the continuing process and more information will be available as the merger continues.

In 2011, developments in Welsh Higher Education policy were driven by a desire for there to be fewer universities in Wales. In response, in October of that year, the governing bodies of the University of Wales, Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David made a commitment to merge under the 1828 Charter of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The first phase of this process was completed in October 2012 with the merger of University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea Metropolitan University, as well as the creation of Adduned Cymru - The Wales Pledge.

This historic decision supports Welsh Government policy for the restructuring of the higher education sector in Wales and, most importantly, allows the University of Wales to continue its mission and commitment to support the academic, cultural and economic life of Wales as part of the enlarged postmerger university.

The University of Wales degree and the name University of Wales have a strong history and are widely recognised and highly regarded by employers worldwide. There are many University of Wales alumni who graduated from universities which no longer award University of Wales degrees. They have suffered no detrimental effect as a result of that change and include many senior members of Welsh Government, people in public life and academic staff at universities across the UK.

The University has made a public commitment that any student who has enrolled on a Wales award will be given the opportunity to complete their studies. For all students currently enrolled and studying towards a University of Wales award, the University of Wales will remain the degree awarding body for the duration of their studies. Students will continue to study the same course in their respective institutions, and on successful completion will be awarded a degree certificate bearing “The University of Wales” as the degree awarding body.

If you are studying in an institution in Wales, please refer to your institution's registry for further advice.

Students have been involved in the process, and the Vice-Chancellor has held meetings with the President of the NUS in Wales and also other Student Presidents from Universities in Wales. Students also continue to be able to apply to act as Student Representative on University of Wales committees.

If you have been offered a place on a University of Wales course you will be treated in the same way as all past students and if successful you will exit with a University of Wales award. The University of Wales works with a wide number of Institutions in Wales and all over the world - find out if a course is offered in your country by using the Course Search facility.

Schemes of study listed here are validated by the University of Wales, however, prospective students are advised to contact the collaborative centre directly for information about all future intake dates

Yes. If you are currently studying for a University of Wales degree, on successful completion of it you will be awarded a degree certificate which will bear “University of Wales” as the degree awarding body.

Tuition fees are determined by the Collaborative Centre or University at which you are studying. All existing sponsorship arrangements should be honoured as you will remain on a University of Wales course.

The University is endowed with a number of scholarships and bursaries, with specific conditions attached to them. As part of the creation of Adduned Cymru – The Wales Pledge, an independent charitable trust known as the UW Restricted Endowments Trust (UWRET) was established in February 2015 to manage the numerous donations and bequests received by the University and ensure that they continue to be awarded and used only for their original purpose. A new website will be created to provide details of the new structure, and also information on how interested parties might apply for the award of a scholarship or studentship or prize - details of which will be available soon.

The University of Wales has never featured in any ranking system due to its Federal nature. The transformed University of Wales Trinity Saint David will appear in the ranking systems but it will take time to establish its position.